Philadelphia Eagles Training Camp Profile: Cary Williams

By Matt Lombardo

Thomas Campbell – USA Today Sports

The honeymoon period for Cary Williams, who was signed in March to be the Philadelphia Eagles starting quarterback, may just be beginning for his marriage, but he has yet to reach that phase in his tenure with the team.

Williams, 28, has missed a majority of the team’s offseason program due to his wedding and ensuing honeymoon, but joins a secondary in Philadelphia that he is expected to anchor after winning a Super Bowl ring with the Baltimore Ravens in February.

“Just because it was OTAs doesn’t mean I need to derail my plans for a situation like that,” Williams explained*, Monday after practice. “Not being disrespectful. Everybody has their own personal life and things to take care of. And in my life, I have something to take care of, and I felt that was important.”

The five-year veteran returned to the Novacare Complex on May 21, was not running with the first teambut during Monday’s open practice session as he plays catch-up on learning defensive coordinator Bill Davis Jr.‘s scheme. In his place was Curtis Marsh, but it seems only a matter of time before Williams’ number gets called for a larger workload.

“It’s just one of those things where I missed a couple of weeks,” Williams said. “Guys have been here, and Coach has given them an opportunity, and that’s fine. OTAs are OTAs. When we get the pads on, it’s a different thing.

Last season, Williams posted 75 tackles and four interceptions, and the Eagles hope that he brings a veteran presence to a secondary that could very easily see three to four new starters from a year ago on a defense that will likely be in a state of transition, going from a 4-3 to a 3-4 alignment up front.

For Williams, adapting to a new system and new teammates will certainly be something he focuses on in the coming weeks and months, leading up to the regular season opener on September 9 against the Washington Redskins.

“It’s a difference between being a top-10 defense and a top-25 defense,” Williams said. One thing is certain though, Williams is not lacking confidence. “Once we get the pads on, the cream will rise to the top.”

By the time the season rolls around, it’s expected that Williams and fellow free agent signee Bradley Fletcher will man the Birds’ top to cornerback positions.

For Williams’ sake, hopefully his honeymoon period with this team begins well before then.

Matt Lombardo is also an on-air personality on 97.5 FM The Fanatic in Philadelphia. Join the conversation and follow Matt on Twitter.